'Tyranny Trek' Transforms into Unexpected Tribute to 'The Sound of Music'

July 17, 2023

NEWARK, NJ — Hikers on the renowned "Tyranny Trek" are once again making their way across the border between Austria and Switzerland in honor of their ancestors' courageous escape from the Nazis during World War II. This less-courageous but still mildly treacherous journey is drawing unexpected comparisons to scenes from the beloved musical, The Sound of Music as the hikers have been heard yodeling the soundtrack while 'escaping'.

One of the descendants on this historical journey, Michael VonTrapman, a 25-year-old from Newark, NJ, expressed his feelings via a self-aware confession, "It's just like The Sound of Music, except the Nazis weren't chasing us with guns and we didn't have a gaggle of singing children with us."

His sister, Maria, 27, picked up on the comparison, reminiscing about their great-grandfather's escape while simultaneously contemplating a parody version of 'Do-Re-Mi'. "It's uncanny how a melody can bring to life our family's legacy," she chuckled. "Especially when you imagine Julie Andrews leading a pack of kinder in dirndls and lederhosen."

Friedrich Schwarzwalderkirschtortenmachermeister, 34, a second cousin once removed to the VonTrapmans, suggested that if Julie Andrews spontaneously joined their hike and led them in song, it would definitely take the frostbite out of the rocky climb. "It would be great if we had Mary Poppins. Reality is, we don't have a governess or a rich, handsome, singing widower, but we got yummy Vanillekipferl and Marillenknödel from the local bakery."

During the ascent, echoes of 'The Hills Are Alive' and 'Climb Every Mountain' could be heard as the family attempted to keep the mood light-hearted. Other hikers were taken aback initially, but many eventually joined in the singing, turning the "Tyranny Trek" into a unique musical tribute to those who walked the path in far more harrowing circumstances.

The family's amusing comparison has sparked a flurry of social media reactions, with some commenting that The Sound of Music will never look the same again. A few imaginative netizens even created a spoof musical: "The Sound of Frei-dom: From Nazis to New Jersey''. Songs include "My Favorite Escapes" and "So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu…Eva Braun We Barely Knew Ya".

The VonTrapman's hiking hootenanny caught the attention of the Tyranny Trek Association. Guy Seris, a retired French colonel and current president of the TTA, humorously mused, "Maybe we should add a soundtrack to our annual event. A little bit of music does wonders for morale. Even in the midst of re-enacting trying times."

Sixteen-year-old Lily VonTrapman said it best, "We didn't have actual meanies chasing us, but no cap, leg cramps, and blisters felt like Fortnite IRL. And, like, I also strained my vocal cords."